I know you may ask, is there any hugs challenge? What am I talking about?

Yes, as small or big as they come; in the morning, noon, afternoon or late at night. Just hugs!

There were times I wanted one, even the smallest but I couldn’t get it.
There were times I wanted it from a specific person, but no, I didn’t get it.
And there were times I got it unexpectedly from a friend, family, colleague, even from a stranger, I mean someone I barely know.

But here, my serenade comes from my biggest admirers, those who fill my days with drama, joy, happiness, hard work, smile, tears and prayers.
They can enlarge my lips with a smile and tighten my face with anger at the same time.
The ones who can make me laugh and cry.
They are my morning joy and my heartfelt prayer at night; my endless motivation throughout the day.
They are a mixture of complexity and simplicity in every way.

I hope you will agree with me that hugs are special gifts and can be used at any time, any day and for any mood.

My serenade of Hugs

It starts in the morning, that warm and tender hug to say hello! How was your sleep?
Then one before leaving, wishing each other a wonderful day with hope to see you later.
Another to say welcome back! How was your day?
And one more to say good night, sleep tight!

But in between comes

The “thank you hug”, for a new pair of shoes, a new set of clothes or a new pencil case to replace the one they misplaced and can’t find any more.

The “I am sorry hug”, whenever they acknowledge their mistakes and misbehaviors and are willing to do right next time.

The “I love you Hug” when feeling emotional.

The “get well soon hug” to give you hope.

The “bobo healer hug” that calms you down when you hurt yourself.

The “don’t worry hug” for every bad dreams, fears…

And the “I missed you hug”.

Hugs are great to encourage, secure, motivate, lower your temper and express feelings.
My serenade of hugs is an endless symphony. It’s a beautiful melody to start the day and so lovely to finish up the day.

Children are good example of the power of hugs; they give hugs without questions and are so expectant to receive one.
Give as much as you can, at any time, to anyone who needs it and may you receive so many hugs that you will have no room for stress, worries, pain, anxiety and insecurities.

Love and Big hug to you all.

Note: • A “bobo” is children word to express a wound, cut, scratch or pain. It is used in French language.

Like this:

The kids have bathed and dressed.
In the kitchen I prepared their snacks and the breakfast is served.

One last touch, checking bags, clean faces and then the morning prayer before leaving for school.

All was natural until came my son with this sudden and unsuspected question:

“Tell me mommy, were you and daddy married before?”

I, for seconds asked myself why this now? He is just a small boy!
Then with a smile and holding is hands; I said “No baby, daddy and I were not married.”

He added with this mysterious tone;

So why do we call him our dad?

That is where all in me stopped. Troubled, I tried to form in my head an appropriate answer to his question.

Look baby, daddy is your father because we were together for a longtime, and we were living in the same house, that’s the time your sister and you were born; unfortunately we did not get married like you see in church and got separated later after you were born.

He looked at me with a smile; saying:

Is it like being boyfriend and girlfriend?
Were you two dating?

I had to say YES; even if deep in me I wished I could say no, but there is no other answer to it, I wasn’t married when I had my children. And I can’t see how explaining cohabitation will help in this matter.

He then, hugged me and said with his angel voice;

That is why he is our daddy.

I felt my heart so heavy, at that moment tears moved in my eyes, I hold him tight not willing to let him see me crying.

A couple of minutes, then it was time to leave, I went downstairs with them; a kiss to everyone then they left for school.

As much as I want to be strong, there are times when I will have to answer to questions that could break my heart.

I see in this that children observe and question themselves regarding their family status , and my son, that little man who is turning 7 years old, so loving and caring is becoming curious and in need of clarifications.

It hurts sometimes, but I am grateful that he understood and I want to believe that the matter doesn’t hurt him.

We sometimes hide the truth or avoid giving details to our children believing that we are protecting their heart and we try to get a balance into their emotions. But, there will come a time where they will somehow find out the truth and at that exact moment we may look bad in their eyes or they will sympathize with us.

I may not know everything and was surely not prepared to be a single mom but the need to protect my children and to provide a safe, peaceful and joyful environment is making me work extra miles to achieve a good emotional balance for my little ones.

I am forever grateful to the almighty God for the strength and ability given me to be a mother.
There is still a long way to go but, i am proud of what have been achieved so far.

Kisses and Love to all the single Parents who struggle time to time but move forwards with a positive attitude.

Like this:

Being sexually active nowadays has become common to our younger generation. The question is, are they all prepared for it?
I read an article from LifeBlog, the author Peter Adewumi has elaborated something crucial about being sexually literate.

“The reason why many adults don’t know what they ought to know about sex is because they were not taught at the right time. The first teaching about sex should come from parents, because parents are the first teachers of the children.
Sex is very sweet inside marriage, but very bitter outside marriage. It is like a bitter leaf; when you eat it at the wrong time, very bitter! But when eaten at the right time, delicious! It is also medicinal to your body. Sex at the right time makes you healthy, while sex at the wrong time makes you sick.”Peter Adewumi, LifeBlog.

Sexuality is a subject that many parents in Africa do not want to discuss with their children. A taboo, yet it is the most valuable information from a certain age.

We are victims of ignorance, and the delusion that the world offers through Media’s platforms have been the way of gaining knowledge on the subject for most of us.
As a mother today, I wished my parents have told me before ahead what is all about sexuality.
And as a single mom, giving your children lessons or advice regarding sexuality appears to be a heavy task.
As much as I want my children to be prepared for a greater life and happy relationship, I still have to deal with questions with regards to my personal experience.

We lead by example, that what it is said!

How to be an example when your own experience is contrary or way far to what you wish them to be?
Is admitting to your children that you made mistakes in the past wrong?
What is the approach to take when you are dealing with a child that is questioning your advice?

There are so many thoughts in my head for the time I will have to seat with my little ones and bring the subject into the discussion.
But one thing keeps me strong is that God promised in all, that “…he will never leave me nor forsake me”. Deuteronomy 31:6
I found my strength in this verse.

Wishing you and I to be great parents and role models for our children.

Like this:

Another night sitting on my couch,
Expectant but worry
Thinking in the quietness of my home
As all were asleep
I said
Will he come?
Will he call?
Will he answer?
Will he say it?
Expectant but worry
And a day and a night
Same music playing in my head
Am I dreaming? No!
It’s another night sitting on my couch
Expectant but worry
Thinking in the quietness of my home
As all were asleep
I said
Will he come?
Will he call?
Will he answer?
Will he say it?I was thereAnd a day and a night
The same old music playing in my head
Am I dreaming? No No!
And I said
He won’t come
He won’t call
He won’t answer
He won’t say it
I cried loud my pain
Ripped my voice from inside
Torn my heart into pieces
Am I dreaming? No no no!
Quietly I said again
He won’t come
He won’t call
He won’t answer
He won’t say it
Not another day nor another night
I opened my door, stepped out and breathed deeply
Till I vomited my pain and let out of my cries
Then he,
He came
He called
He answered
He said it
It’s not my fault, I was there days and nights
Expectant but worry
I opened my heart and you didn’t step in
I was broken and you didn’t look back
But he,
Stepped in, pulled me up
With a smile he said
A flower need to be watered
A broken heart need to be mended
And you, need to be loved
He took it all
Yes he came
He called
He answered
He said it
It’s not my fault, I was there.